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WFP and Partners Implement Drought Preparedness in Central America's Dry Corridor Amidst El Niño Threat

WFP and Partners Implement Drought Preparedness in Central America's Dry Corridor Amidst El Niño Threat

In Central America's Dry Corridor, a region spanning Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua where over seven million people face food insecurity, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners are implementing anticipatory action measures to combat drought. The current El Niño weather pattern is intensifying the risk of below-average rainfall and drought, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stating it could be unprecedented in strength. WFP's initiatives include building water reservoirs, providing irrigation systems, and offering training in diversified agriculture and efficient water use. Anastacio Martínez, a farmer in Palagua, Honduras, volunteered land for a reservoir, transforming his farm to grow various crops and raise fish, ensuring harvests even during dry seasons. In Camotán, Guatemala, Marta Ávalos is a key partner in organizing community responses, including a community grain bank, to prepare for food shortages. These measures have reached over 409,000 people, with an ad...

UN chief says 'immediate and drastic' emissions cuts needed to avert climate change catastrophe

UN chief says 'immediate and drastic' emissions cuts needed to avert climate change catastrophe

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says the world must immediately and drastically cut fossil fuel emissions to avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change

IOM Director General Warns 200 Million at Risk of Climate Displacement, Calls for Investment in Adaptation

IOM Director General Warns 200 Million at Risk of Climate Displacement, Calls for Investment in Adaptation

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope issued a warning on Friday that over 200 million individuals are at risk of displacement from their homes due to the escalating impacts of climate change. Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey, Pope highlighted that these individuals reside in communities highly vulnerable to climate-related events. She emphasized that climate-related population movements are projected to increase significantly unless immediate actions are taken to mitigate these risks. Pope also criticized the current allocation of billions of dollars towards border security, arguing that the underlying causes of displacement are not receiving adequate attention or funding. According to IOM data, nearly 30 million people were displaced in 2025 alone due to climate-related disasters such as storms, droughts, wildfires, extreme heatwaves, and floods.

El Niño Potentially Linked to Unprecedented Early Polar Vortex Breakdown, Raising Concerns for Winter Weather

El Niño Potentially Linked to Unprecedented Early Polar Vortex Breakdown, Raising Concerns for Winter Weather

The polar vortex, a high-altitude band of westerly winds circling the Arctic, experienced an unprecedented early breakdown on November 10, with winds reversing direction. This event is the earliest recorded since the 1950s, beating the previous record by 18 days. While such collapses occur every few years, their occurrence in November is highly unusual. Scientists, including Adam Scaife at the Met Office, suspect a potential link to the exceptionally strong El Niño climate phase. El Niño typically strengthens the vortex in autumn and early winter before weakening it in late winter, allowing cold air to spill southwards. The current El Niño has already warmed tropical Pacific surface waters to record temperatures. The mechanism proposed involves El Niño-linked waves in the jet stream propagating upwards into the stratosphere, where they can crash into and weaken the polar vortex by pushing against its flow with easterly momentum. However, other factors, such as a high-pressure blocking system over Scandinav...

Global Warming Accelerates, Climate Experts Warn at UN COP31 Summit

Global Warming Accelerates, Climate Experts Warn at UN COP31 Summit

At the annual United Nations COP31 climate change conference in Antalya, Turkey, new reports have highlighted the world's continued failure to contain global warming. Climate Action Tracker, a nonprofit group, reported that the planet is still on track for a nearly 5-degree Fahrenheit warming by 2100, which would cause widespread devastation. Concurrently, the European Union’s Copernicus climate change service indicated a significant acceleration in global warming since the 2015 Paris Agreement. The projection for surpassing the Paris Agreement's 2.7-degree Fahrenheit threshold above preindustrial levels has moved from around 2045 to as early as 2029. Scientists attribute this acceleration primarily to the ever-increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases from human activity. Experts like Sarah Heck of Climate Analytics noted that collective government action on climate change has stalled for the fifth consecutive year, with new fossil fuel projects and weakened climate policies undermining progress.

Oxfam Reports 94 Private Jet Landings at UN Climate Summit, Highlighting Emissions Disparity

Oxfam Reports 94 Private Jet Landings at UN Climate Summit, Highlighting Emissions Disparity

Oxfam International has reported that at least 94 private jet flights landed at Antalya Airport during the UN Climate Summit (COP31) in Turkey. These flights, recorded between November 7 and November 13, 2026, generated an estimated 777 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This figure is nearly 22 times the number of private jet arrivals at Antalya during the same period last year. Oxfam's analysis, based on data from PolluterJet, an aircraft-tracking project, estimates that the combined emissions from these flights are equivalent to flying around the world more than three times. The organization noted that not all passengers were necessarily attending the conference. Oxfam also highlighted that the United States accounted for 68% of private jet departures worldwide in 2025, with an average private jet flight producing as much carbon pollution as an average person generates in an entire year.

As Democrats seek changes to bill on energy permits, divisions emerge

As Democrats seek changes to bill on energy permits, divisions emerge

By Valerie Volcovici ANTALYA, Turkey, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives are working on changes to a sweeping energy permitting overhaul bill, but some of their colleagues want to wait until they take control of Congress next year.

UN Secretary-General Calls for Escalated Action on Early Warning Systems Amidst Worsening Climate Hazards

UN Secretary-General Calls for Escalated Action on Early Warning Systems Amidst Worsening Climate Hazards

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the critical need for escalated action on early warning systems, stating that 'no one should lose their life simply because a warning came too late – or never came at all.' Speaking at a high-level event during the COP31 climate conference, Guterres highlighted that while 136 countries now have multi-hazard early warning systems, significant gaps remain, particularly in least developed countries and small island states. A new report from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates that countries with comprehensive systems experience disaster-related mortality six times lower than those with limited ones. Guterres outlined three priorities: making early warnings a permanent public service, closing financing and capacity gaps, and moving from fragmented projects to coordinated, long-term support for country-led plans.

Leaders of countries already hit hard by climate change tell UN summit that urgent action is needed

Leaders of countries already hit hard by climate change tell UN summit that urgent action is needed

Small island leaders are calling for urgent climate action at the United Nations talks in Turkey

COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya Addresses Urgent Climate Action and Finance

COP31 Leaders' Summit in Antalya Addresses Urgent Climate Action and Finance

The COP31 Leaders' Summit is currently underway in Antalya, Turkey, bringing together nations to discuss and commit to climate action. The summit emphasizes the critical need to translate climate commitments into tangible actions, with leaders highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change through practical solutions, increased climate finance, and adaptation measures. A key focus is on unlocking investment in clean energy technologies, accelerating electrification, and enhancing ocean action. Despite the ambitious goals, the absence of top leaders from some of the world's largest polluting nations has raised concerns about the potential impact and outcomes of the summit. Australia, represented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is playing a leading role, advocating for urgent action, particularly for vulnerable Pacific island nations facing direct threats from rising sea levels. The summit aims to achieve concrete results through international cooperation.

Russia, Ukraine reach deal on prisoner swap as US says lack of trust holds back talks

Russia, Ukraine reach deal on prisoner swap as US says lack of trust holds back talks

By Roula Rouhana ABU DHABI, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Russian and Ukrainian negotiators agreed to a major prisoner exchange at two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi that ended on Wednesday, but US mediators said differences remained on major issues, including territory.

World leaders set out clashing priorities as COP31 turns to negotiations

World leaders set out clashing priorities as COP31 turns to negotiations

By William James and Simon Jessop ANTALYA, Turkey, Nov 12 (Reuters) - World leaders have set out competing positions and made clashing demands in two days of intense speech-making at the COP31 climate change talks in Turkey, leaving negotiators with a tough task to draft a meaningful deal that all